Italy (意大利) - The Northwest - Barolo
Monforte d’Alba

Click to View: Map of Barolo / Monforte d’Alba.

A sub category of Barolo DOCG, Barolo covers some 3,100 acres of which are divided into 11 communes just south of the city of Alba. They are Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, Diano d’Alba, Grinzane Cavour, Monforte d’Alba, Novello, Cherasco, La Morra, Roddi and Verduno. The best vineyards are La Morra and Barolo to the western half of the zone, and Monforte d’Alba, Castiglione Falleto and Serralunga to the eastern half of the zone.

Grape(s):

Soils:
The soils are rich in minerals ie magnesium in the west, iron in the east. Mainly - limestone, clay, marl, and sand.

From left to right: Limestone, Clay, Marl, and Sand.

Weather Conditions:
This area experiences long autumns (With fogs, thus enabling ripening); severe winters and warm summers. Hail storms and spring frosts are concerns and may exist from time to time. Most of the vineyards are situated on hillsides for good drainage and exposed to the sun, with the vines generally facing south.

From left to right: Long Autumns, Micro Climates, Severe Winters, and Warm Summers.

Wine Style:
This commune sees some of the best makers of Barolo with a lethal edge and potent structure. Massively built for the long haul, over decades, the wine style coming out from Monforte d’Alba has depth of flavor, big, bold, dark, rich which some feel is the most concentrated Barolo style with firmess and build.

Best Producers:
Please see the main page on Barolo.

Further Reading:
Commune de Monforte d’Alba
Wikipedia